TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND & VIETNAM: APRIL 15

INDONESIA

1. US TARIFFS COULD LEAD TO BIG INFORMAL SECTOR, LAYOFFS -- THE JAKARTA POST

The United States’ tariffs on imports from Indonesia could put more workers at risk of layoffs, economists have warned, adding that an increase in unemployment could also lead to the expansion of the local informal sector, which could hinder economic growth in the long term.

2. US TARIFF TO SPEED UP INDONESIA-EURASIA TRADE PACT, RUSSIA SAYS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The US tariff blitz will provide an impetus to Indonesia’s ongoing trade deal negotiations with Eurasia, according to Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Monday. Indonesia has been wanting to seal a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as it searches for untapped export destinations.

SINGAPORE

1. S’PORE NO LONGER OPERATING IN STABLE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT; CURRENT UNCERTAINTY UNPRECEDENTED: SM LEE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Singapore has gone through and overcome many crises in the past, but the current global uncertainty caused by the US-imposed tariffs is unprecedented and will last a very long time, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

2. SINGAPORE CAN NO LONGER RELY ON 'WORKING' GLOBAL TRADING SYSTEM TO FIT INTO, UNLIKE IN PAST CRISES: SM LEE -- CNA

Singapore can no longer rely on a "working" global trading system to fit into, unlike in previous crises, and a recession, though unlikely, remains a possibility, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (Apr 14).

THAILAND

1. 3.5-MAGNITUDE QUAKE HITS KRABI -- THE NATION

A 3.5-magnitude earthquake struck Krabi’s Nuea Khlong district Monday afternoon. Residents felt tremors caused by the 148 km-long Khlong Marui Fault.

2. NO TIME TO WASTE -- BANGKOK POST

The government must form a task force to negotiate the tariffs imposed by the United States on Thai products before the 90-day pause announced by US President Donald Trump last week expires, an expert urged.

VIETNAM

1. XI JINPING'S VISIT KEY IMPETUS FOR BILATERAL TIES --  VIETNAM NEWS

Prime Minister Phạm Minh ChInh said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to  Hanoi on Monday is strategically important and will set a new direction in bilateral ties. He said the visit is the most critical high-level diplomatic engagement this year.

2. WORKERS' MONTHLY INCOME ON THE RISE -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Ministry of Finance said the average monthly income of workers rose across most regions and economic sectors. From January to March, the average monthly income was RM1,471 (US$321), with urban workers earning slightly more than rural employees.

-- BERNAMA